Head lice FAQs

+ Where do head lice come from?

Head lice have been around for centuries. As with any insect, they begin to adapt to their environment in order to survive. Unfortunately we will never be able to be rid of all of them, but Hedrin® can make managing them simpler and easier.

+ How do the lice move around?

Head lice cannot fly and jumping is not in their repertoire either. Instead head lice can only crawl and need head to head contact in order to move from one person to another. It is possible that because of the way younger children interact, that head lice do occur more among primary school children than teenagers or adults.

+ What type of hair does head lice prefer?

Head lice are not picky. They do not care if hair is long, short, washed this morning or last week. As long as they are warm and have blood to survive on they are content to stay put.

+ What’s special about Hedrin?

Instead of using an insecticide to poison the head lice, Hedrin products work to kill them physically. Hedrin helps kill head lice by preventing louse from functioning and disrupting their ability to intake water or feed off the scalp.

+ Is Hedrin suitable to use on the whole family?

All products in the Hedrin range may be used while pregnant* and on children as young as six months. Hedrin products do not contain any solvents that can cause problems in some asthma sufferers. *Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicines in pregnancy.

+ Can Hedrin be used on coloured or bleached hair?

Yes. Dimeticone (the active ingredient) and Cyclomethicone (the carrier in Hedrin) are commonly used in a lot of shampoos and conditioners, so Hedrin can be used on coloured or bleached hair. However it is not advisable to use Hedrin directly before colouring or bleaching because it may prevent the colour taking to the hair.

+ Does Hedrin sting?

No. It is kind to the hair and skin and feels a bit like hair conditioner when it is applied.

+ Does Hedrin have a nasty odour?

No Hedrin is completely odourless and easy to apply. It is kind to skin and hair and leaves the hair feeling silky smooth.

+ How do I make sure I get all of the lice eggs?

In order to ensure that the lice are treated, a second application of Hedrin lotion should be applied 7 days after the first treatment to deal with any eggs which may have hatched since the first application. The ‘nits’ (empty egg cases) are glued to the hair but are completely harmless. They can be removed with the fingers or even a fine toothed comb.

+ Do I have to comb the lice out?

Once the treatment is applied and lice are killed they should wash out easily, so there is no need to comb! The empty egg cases or nits are glued to the hair shaft and can be removed with the fingers or a fine toothed comb if desired.

+ How often can I repeat the treatment?

Two applications of Hedrin one week apart are recommended for the head lice infestation to be dealt with. In the rare case that reinfestation occurs within a short period of time then Hedrin may be used again straight away.

+ How much will I need?

A little Hedrin goes a long way. The amount needed depends entirely upon the length of hair to be treated. A bottle should be sufficient for a two-dose treatment of short hair. Longer hair or multiple treatments will require a larger bottle.

+ Won’t the head lice become resistant?

No, because Hedrin works by killing lice physically rather than by poisoning, it is more likely to kill insecticide resistant head lice.

+ Can head lice live in bedding, hats, clothes or carpets?

No, lice require blood to survive, without it they will dehydrate in 6 hours if in a dry climate and 24 hours in a humid climate. As these head lice only live for a very short time o the head, the only extra cleaning needed is to wash the pillowcases on a hot wash cycle.

+ Where can I buy Hedrin?

The Hedrin range is available through leading pharmacies. For a full list of stockists visit our ‘where to buy’ page.

+ Can I prevent head lice?

There is no research that has proven that chemical or natural treatments prevent lice. It is important to check your child’s hair regularly even if you don’t think your child has head lice.

+ Does my child have to miss school?

A child with head lice can return to school, kindergarten or childcare after head lice treatment has commenced. Head lice policies may vary in each facility and may require your child to stay home until the following day. Please confirm with your school or centre.

+ Who is responsible for checking and treating the head lice?

It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to check their child’s hair and if necessary treat them for head lice.

Primary Sidebar

Managing Head Lice

Footer

Menu

Search

Search this website

Reviews

Amazing Hedrin!

I loved using Hedrin on my children. It removed all the lice and their eggs after the 2 treatments as stated on pack. It was easy to apply and has no odour compared to other products on the market. It was even suitable for the whole family to use. Highly recommend this product as it has fantastic results!